-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Federal jurors convicted the son of former Liberian president Charles Taylor Sr. of torture and conspiracy charges Thursday , said a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney 's office in the southern district of Florida .

Charles `` Chuckie '' Taylor Jr. , also known as Charles McArthur Emmanuel , was found guilty on one count of torture , one count of conspiracy to commit torture and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime , said Alicia Valle , special counsel to the U.S. attorney .

Taylor 's case , tried in Miami , Florida , was the first brought under a 1994 United States law saying those accused of committing torturous acts overseas can be tried in a U.S. federal court .

`` Today 's conviction provides a measure of justice to those who were victimized by the reprehensible acts of Charles Taylor Jr. and his associates , '' Attorney General Michael Mukasey said in a written statement .

`` It sends a powerful message to human rights violators around the world that , when we can , we will hold them fully accountable for their crimes . ''

He could face a sentence of life in prison when he is sentenced January 8 .

Although Taylor was born in Boston , Massachusetts , he moved to Liberia when his father was named president .

Prosecutors said Taylor became the leader of the Anti-Terrorist Unit and the Liberian National Police while his father was president . The two groups are accused of abducting , torturing and killing people .

According to prosecutors , Taylor committed torture and allowed others to commit torture . They burned certain victims with molten plastic , lighted cigarettes , candle wax and an iron ; severely beat victims with firearms and cut and stabbed victims ; and shocked certain victims with an electric device , prosecutors said in an indictment that superceded the initial indictment from 2006 .

In the initial indictment , Taylor was charged with one count of torture , one count of conspiracy to torture and one count of using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime .

The superceding September 2007 indictment -- which incorporated the initial charges -- included five counts of torture , one count of conspiracy to torture , one count of using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and one count of conspiracy to use a firearm during the commission of a violent crime .

The defense had said the U.S. government had little or no evidence to back up its claims .

Charles Taylor Sr. is standing trial in The Hague , Netherlands , on war crimes charges .

He was sentenced to 11 months in prison but was ordered detained on the torture charges and not released when that sentence expired , the U.S. attorney 's office said .

@highlight

Charles `` Chuckie '' Taylor Jr. is also known as Charles McArthur Emmanuel

@highlight

Prosecutors : Taylor was leader of groups that burned and beat people

@highlight

Taylor guilty of torture and conspiracy to commit torture

@highlight

He is first to be tried under law allowed overseas torture acts to be tried in U.S.